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Feb 9, 2013

Can not get door open...climbing out window to clear the way. National Guard is in my city to help all the stuck PLOWS!!! out of the snow....Hope everyone is safe. I will be shoveling for the next two days because the snow thrower is not going to cut it. I had an old snow blower fixed but have not needed it since then so I am really hoping that will start up. UGGGG

Feb 8, 2013

Oh yeah I live in the north east and sugar cane is just not right for up here. But I would love to be able to have a sugar plant in my garden....well WOW I can.

The good old fashion sugar beet! Surprisingly it is the same sugar we get from sugar cane!

Once upon a time pre commercial take over, everyone grew their own sugar.

You plant the sugar beets in the early spring and just as they look...they grow like carrots do. You harvest them in the fall.

How to make the sugar(keep in mind this does take time)

Clean your beets really good..and slice them small bits or you can even shred them.

Put them in a pan and add water (just enough to cover them)

Cook over medium heat till tender. (think mash potato tender)

Once tender strain ( cheese cloth or towel are best because you can squeeze more of the water out of the beets, but you can use a regular strainer)

Save this sugar water!!(You can stop right here and ferment the water for Rum!)

Left over beets you can eat or can.

Next step is to simmer the sugar water over a low to medium heat till it turns to a brown molasses substance.....Make sure to stir frequently during this process! Once it is at this molasses stage take it off the heat. (at this point you now have a honey substitute!)

Let this cool and put into storage jars or containers.

Over the next few month (yes months!) this will crystallize.. make sure to check on it time to time to just brake it up.
Or you can just cheat and keep cooking on low till it crystallizes...But it does lose a little of its yummyness. But it is still sugar!!

And there you have it home grown sugar!! A renewable source of a very important staple!

Now it is just like your store bought sugar, but because it is all natural it does not caramelize like cane sugar does.

Feb 4, 2013

CNBC's Big Brother, Big Business

This is a full documentary but it is in a playlist format so it should roll into each part automatically. I could not find the full non stop version.

In "Big Brother, Big Business", CNBC takes a look at the companies
behind the powerful business of personal information and the people
whose lives are effected by it, including: a woman who lost her job due
to mistaken identity; a man whose cell phone records were stolen by his
former employer; a woman whose personal information was stolen from a
company she had never heard of; a man who discovered his rental car
company was tracking his every move.
The documentary also looks at how the FBI, the Border Patrol, police
departments and schools are using biometric technologies to establish
identity as well as an inside peeks at an AOL division that works solely
to satisfy the requests of law enforcement for information about AOL's
members.

Feb 3, 2013

Its another Sunday! And I have not done one of these in sometime.
Totally digging is my way of saying thanks for linking back to my page. Check them out!

So I have missed so many wonderful people that have shared my pages and reposted them on pinterest and facebook and twitter.. and many who have links to my blog on their's. If I have missed you I am sorry. But at some point I will catch up on these. So for today I will do a few.

Feb 2, 2013

It has been a crazy week...no blogging...hot local politics happening were I am at, and I am a very active person...so it has been crazy and exciting... not to mention trying to get garden plans going and end of year crap at the office....ugggggg.

I have a half dozen posts started and none finished! Which also means that I have a half a dozen prepping things started that are not finished because I really do blog about what ever I am working on.

But I keep getting interrupted by all the crap that is happening around us. Storms, killings, economy, it all really seems to be getting so urgent. The government is out of control, the people are out of control. And then there is me....were do I stand in all this. Where do you stand in all of this? What if anything can we do to stop the madness. I can sit here screaming a c-span, complain on facebook or go out and make a little bit of a difference in my area and hope it spreads. I do this by my involvement in politics....but I have also been trying to get people to prep.

As preppers, many of us are guarded about our prepping because we do not want the masses at our doors if something happens. BUT the more people that prep around you the safer you will be.BUT HOW???

First idea was a fail..

I first tried to get people excited about coupons and how to buy larger amounts when you can get a deal. I though the idea of saving money would get them rolling....but couponing and shopping for deals is a lot of work and they all lost interest fast.

Second idea may just be working

My inspiration is the local politician I am supporting. He is not a prepper, degrees up the ying yang. And always trying to get the people of my city to be sustainable. Solar power, gardens, urban chickens, barter and trade, recycle, re purpose... this is the way he lives (keep in mind this is an Ivy league grad who has worked for the government). The more people that do theses things the safer you will be. Very simple.

Saying I am a prepper and you need to get with it or you will not survive is just to doom and gloom for many. But what if you tried saying the price of food is getting costly...if you grow tomato's I will grow cucumbers and trade with you. It is a small thing, very little pressure and they are more likely to plant a few other things.

Make sure to swing by check out their gardens or in these winter months help them get their seeds started...I am doing the winter sowing...no real work in that and I have two others that are trying it....(because they want there kids to eat better...hey what ever angle works right).

And if we can get Joe to grow peppers we can trade with him. This is a simple way to start a prepper community without people realizing that they are doing that. And it is not as overwhelming as saying you need a 100 cans of this and 200 gallons of water and 300 rolls of toilet paper.

Every spring and fall I help do a community BBQ's. Education in small steps, in larger groups helps to. We have had a recycle magician (actually he the head of the recycling department at the local university) BUT he is amazing and makes re purpose and recycling fun for all. We had another university worker come in and teach fire starting and other survival skills. At other events in my area they teach canoeing and plant identification. ALL BEGINNER prepping skills. And if you contact local schools and organizations you may just find a teacher willing to do a fun presentation to your community for free.

This year I will be teaching local weeds for eating and medicine.

Added note: we even have a new trade group the seniors of my city started. They trade skills for skills or products...plumbing for painting, electrical for garden food ect. They started it to stretch there budgets and it took off.

I know all this seems like a waste of time, but I truly think that everyone is a bit of a prepper, we are just in a more advanced level than them.

We have to use what is happening around us to get people interested. EX: Florida...people there are preppers to some extent for hurricanes, areas with tornado's are ready for that. I have a chemical plant near me and used that to teach many in my community how to make a safe room if a spill happens. I know what doors I can knock on and be safe if a spill happens. ( which no big ones have in all these years but better to be preppered)

Well now I am rambling... share with people get them started small and that may make all the difference in times of crisis.

The song I have to use for this post is..."Join Together" - The Who!!!

Jan 28, 2013

It has been a crazy week so I have not posted anything, sorry guys, I also have a few people sites I wanted to share on my sunday totally digging page but again....crazy week...be back on track in a few days! but for now....this is ttotally is a have to watch if you have not!

.

Big Bucks Big Pharma, Marketing Disease and Pushing Drugs

Big Bucks, Big Pharma pulls back the curtain on the multi-billion dollar
pharmaceutical industry to expose the insidious ways that illness is
used, manipulated, and in some instances created, for capital gain.
Focusing on the industry's marketing practices, media scholars and
health professionals help viewers understand the ways in which
direct-to-consumer (DTC) pharmaceutical advertising glamorizes and
normalizes the use of prescription medication, and works in tandem with
promotion to doctors. Combined, these industry practices shape how both
patients and doctors understand and relate to disease and treatment.
Ultimately, Big Bucks, Big Pharma challenges us to ask important
questions about the consequences of relying on a for-profit industry for
our health and well-being.

Jan 24, 2013

On that note ... is is good to know how to deal with frostbite. I can here some of you saying it never gets that cold were I am at.... we are preppers and remember you never know were you may end up in times of crisis. It is good practice to have some knowledge of it.

Frostbite is when the skin cells become damaged. Sometimes it can be restored sometimes not.

It can take only minutes to get frostbite!! Minutes! When the temp goes below 20 degrees and you have a good wind blowing you need to make sure you feet, toes ears and hands a covered properly! These are the parts of the body that many forget about and end up getting in trouble with.

We all remember the scene in Mr Deeds....well that is what frostbite looks like!

Warning signs: If you start to feel number or even the area starts to feel hard and frozen. Even a may have a white or grayish color (see pic above) then you need to get warm NOW!

Check every half hour or so for signs of frost bite!! It can sneek up on you!

How to dress:

Light, loose, layered clothing provides both ventilation and
insulation. Top your outfit with a water-repellent fabric. Remember water repellent not water proof...because water proof can make you sweat and that sweat in you clothing is not a good thing!!

Mittens are warmer than gloves, and two pair of socks (wool over lightweight cotton) will help keep your feet warm.

If you get wet, get inside and remove the wet clothing as quickly as possible.

OMG you have frostbite now what???

Get to a warm room as soon as possible and call for help if you can.

Drink teas and chick or beef broth.

Take off any wet or restrictive clothing.

remove all your jewelry, helps with get the circulation going again.

Rest the effected areas, do not walk on frostbitten feet, and elevate them slightly.

Warm the area by immersing it in warm (NOT HOT) water 30 to 45 minutes, or until it feels warm and sensation
returns. During warming, you may feel severe pain and the injured area
may swell and change color.

Leave blisters intact, and cover them with a sterile or clean
cloth until you are seen by a physician.

Do not

do not do anything that will
further injure the frostbitten tissue.

No Alcohol- that is a myth it DOES NOT HELP IT MAKE IT WORSE!

no rubbing the area with your
hands, with snow, or with anything else.

do not start to warm the affected
area if there is any chance that it will be exposed to the cold again.

NO! dry heat, such as from a
heating pad, sunlamp, fire, or radiator, to try to warm the area. Because the
skin is numb and will not feel the heat, it can easily be burned.

A few herbal remedies to help treat it.

Keep in mind there are two different things that would need to be treated, stopping infection from setting in and the frostbite it self..(olden day amputation may have been the only option and still is)

-Aloe is an antiseptic, antibacterial, anti inflammatory and has been known to have reqenerative properties. Just apply to the area and cover with sterile cloth.

- Simple witch hazel helps with both as well, same thing apply to the area and cover

- Potato ...ou can squeeze the juice of the potato right on the area or you can boil it water and pour that into a tub to soak in

- Massage the affected area with camphor oil if the frostbite is not severe.

- Cucumber help restore the skin blend and spread the pulp as you would a cream.

- Apply a cold mashed onion poultice.

-Horsetail can help rebuilding skin tissues because of its silica
content. Silicic acids form collogen.

- Cayenne pepper pour a cup of boiling water onto a half to one teaspoon of cayenne and
infuse for 10 minutes. A tablespoon of this infusion should be mixed
with hot water and taken when needed to improve circulation.

You can also use ginger or radishes

A few other things

-Soda Bottle: Warm frozen toes by filling up a 1- to 2-liter soda bottle with hot water and rolling it back and forth underneath your feet

- Hot and Cold Compresses: Alternate between a hot compress (as hot as you can stand it) and
ice cold compress to treat frostbitten skin. Apply a hot compress for
three minutes followed by a cold compress for 30 seconds. Repeat three
times each – ending with the cold compress.

-After the initial treatment of frostbite, bathe affected body parts in
warm water to increase circulation and aid the healing process.

Jan 21, 2013

UPDATE! I put a 45 min link to this and for some reason it is now a 4 min one....trying to find the full one now

The World According to Monsanto

found it! this is the full one

Monsanto is the world leader in genetically modified organisms (GMOs),
as well as one of the most controversial corporations in industrial
history. This century-old empire has created some of the most toxic
products ever sold, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and the
herbicide Agent Orange. Based on a painstaking investigation, The World
According to Monsanto puts together the pieces of the company’s history,
calling on hitherto unpublished documents and numerous first-hand
accounts. Today, Monsanto likes to style itself as a “life sciences”
company. The leader in genetically modified seeds, engineered to resist
its herbicide Roundup, claims it wants to solve world hunger while
protecting the environment. In the light of its troubling past, can we
really believe these noble intentions? Misleading reports, collusion,
pressure tactics and attempts at corruption: the history of Monsanto is
filled with disturbing episodes. Behind its clean, green image, Monsanto
is tightening its grasp on the world seed market, striving for market
supremacy to the detriment of food security and the global environment.

Jan 18, 2013

I found these bad boys at the Dollar Tree for a buck each!!
A little fishing string or clear nylon thread and 4 off these can keep you safe. They are pretty loud to. Light weight and takes up little room in your bug out bag!

Yes, they are for windows and if you do not have a house alarm worth having a few of these on hand. Even if you have an alarm great emergency back up if the power goes out. You can even make trip wire alarms with them on your property.

But I am talking bug out bag gear. Even great for campers. Basically these can replace the old tin can and string perimeter system.

Simply tie the tread or string to each side of the alarm thingy (a small bit of duck tape may be needed for the bigger side) . Tie the other ends of the thread to trees around your camp area. If trees are not an option put sticks in the ground or pile some rocks. And I would have them no lower than knee high to the ground.

Make sure these are far enough from your camp area to give you enough warning time.
and Tada!!!!

Oh and because these are dollar store things a few extra battery's are suggested just in case.

I mean, this would be a much more secure system.... but it could cost more than 4 bucks......

Song for this post has to be..... Birds of a Feather - Phish.... you have to listen to the song it is definitely a song for a security post! ok maybe just to me :)

Jan 14, 2013

Ok.... so after watching Doomsday Prepper's Bug Out from NY I did learn a few things. One I need a mini bag. I have my bug out bag in my trunk. but because my car is always right were I am I do not really carry anything on me.
I watched each of the guides all say "You have to much" "You do not need all this". And they made sense. Now we are not talking about suburban and rural people this is about getting out of the city fast and being able to survive on your know how till you get to your bug out location.

What do you need :
Now my prepper peeps will say gun. But in my state that is not as easy as that.
But .....
I got a cosmetic bag.... in it I have a rescue knife. Now I understand that a hunting blade is a better choice; but for this purpose a fold-able knife is just better.

Knife
When looking for a rescue knife I looked for several things.
-Window breaker (because you may come across supplies you may need in locked cars.) And it is just good to have god forbid you do come across an accident where it is needed.
- Serrated and flat blade. The serrated is a must to saw and cut things if needed.

The blades material is a matter of preference. I like a carbon blade. They are easy to sharpen but the blade is more pron to rust and staining. Stainless steel is harder to sharpen but rusts less. Then you have what I have. High carbon stainless steel, the best of both worlds. You can get into more complicated metal mixtures ect. But this is for cost sake. These are the basics and you can find them at good prices if you look around.You can even go with a small swiss army knife..but I am talking getting out of the city and you may need a real weapon. You have to find the one you are ok with.

Wiki has a good post on knifes Click Here wish I had found this before I did all my research! It is very informative.

ID!
Have a copy of your drivers license (even an old one) birth certificates, and photos of your family.
Passports are the best ID if you can get an extra one.

Ziplock bag or two
A light weight way to collect water or hold foraged food. If you are on the move leaving a city you can find a water bottle in the trash bin on your way out. And remember in that bag put a folded piece of foil (great for make shift cooking)

Plastic drop cloth or 2 garbage bagsFirst... ladies this can be fashion wear if need be :)
You can roll these up really tight with some para cord. Great to keep dry, warm and build a shelter.
Here is a great link to 40 uses for garbage bags Click here

Bandana
Now I am a mega scarf collector so I always have one on so this I would not need but it is a must have. Uses for a Bandana Pdf Click Here 140 uses!!

Activated charcoal
A small amount goes a long way. And yuu can always build a fire and use that charcoal...but if on the go this is good to have a pill bottle of in your bag for water purification. Click Here for my water purification page for ideas. You can also carry some tablets or bleach. Or all. But I am talking about a cosmetic bag and the must must haves. BUT it is not just for water purification check out my last post on the uses for it Click Here

Protein bars
Food is important but you can not carry 3 days worth in your purse. But a few Protein bar can carry you. I have granola bars only because I eat them all the time so I can rotate them.

Salt and pepper packets
Get some next time you are at a restaurant. If you are on the go and all you could grab is this small purse this will help make road side forage taste better. And it takes up no room in your cosmetic bag.

Bic or zippo lighter and some water proof matches
I say bic or zippo because if you were ever a smoker you know that the cheap lighters can break easy and become useless...Bic and zippos are far more reliable and last far longer.

Emergency whistle and small mace
We are women so these should already be on your key chainA weeks supply of your meds including some aspirin and any other pills you deem a must
I have mine in a small compact with a mirror. A mirror can come in handy.

Alcohol wipes and regular wipes
Light weight pre wrapped ones. Some people say baby wipes. I have those and these. The alcohol ones can be used as a fire starter, to clean yourself a bit and for wounds.(box of 50 at the dollar store)

Cash
Have some bills and coins (not really sure why coins because I never see payphones anymore but ya never know) . Once you are moving take a moment to put some bills in each of your shoes and in one pocket. Do not keep it all in one spot.

A package of tissues
All women know how handy this can be if you every were out with the girls and went in the rest room only to discover there was no TP :) Who knew grandma was always right to carry these.

Gum
Now they use to have a Gatorade gum but no more. But if you go to Dicks or any other sporting goods store they sell Muller Quench Gum. Trust this gum is a life saver, I have used it and the potassium in it can keep you going. The store may have other brands but I like this one. (I ate mine so I have to get more )

Knowledge

I am a firm believer in learning basic foraging. Because if you know what is edible along the road in all seasons you stand a better chance than most. My basic post on foraging Click Here and my Pdf tab up top has online books about it as well. Learn the basics. This knowledge can save you and who ever you are with and it is a skill that can be shared as trade.

YES this can all fit in that little bag...if you are a women I bet you can squeeze even more stuff it it!! It is an art!!!